Eel prices 'hit an all-time low' ··· "A catch volume quota system must be introduced"

As the wholesale price of eel, a representative high-end fish species, has fallen to an all-time low, the anguish of eel farmers has deepened. The reason for this is the significantly increased catch and stocking volume of eel fry, known as "silbaemjang-eo," this year. There is a growing call for the introduction of a "quota system" similar to those in Japan and Taiwan to improve the situation. According to the Fisheries Information Service Portal and the Fisheries Monitoring Center, as of December 1, the wholesale price of eel was 18,976 won per kg. On November 28, it was 21,000 won, and on November 26, it was 18,044 won, falling below 20,000 won. Compared to the average of 35,000 won in November and December last year, it has decreased by 45%, and compared to the average of 28,450 won in the same period from 2015 to 2024, it has decreased by 33%. The reason for the price drop is attributed to the significantly increased catch of eel fry. According to the industry, since the ...